Besides make and model, the actual screen itself, the size, and the various features that it may or may not come with can make or break your gaming experience.

Buying a 720p or 1080p monitor is pretty straightforward, but buying a 1440p monitor is a bit more of an undertaking.

Every monitor you look at will bring something different to the table, and you need to know which features and which extras are the ones that will satisfy your needs.

In this guide, you will learn how to choose a 1440p monitor and important features to consider. In our reviews and top picks of the best 2k monitors on the market, we’ll offer recommendations and thoughts about each model.

What To Look For In A Gaming Monitor?

First, you need to ask yourself, is 1440p worth it? I think so, but don’t take my word for it. Check out what OperatorDrewski has put together in favor of 1440p.

The very first thing you will want to think about is the size of the actual screen itself. While these monitors come in various sizes, there is a bit of a sweet spot that you are aiming for to enjoy the 1440p resolution properly.

1440p (2k) = 2560×1440 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio)

The general rule is that you will need a screen size of at least 25 inches to enjoy the resolution properly, with the 27-32 inch range being the overall sweet spot.

Anything smaller than 25 inches is generally considered too small, especially for gaming purposes, and anything over 32 inches is generally considered a waste.

The next thing on your mind should be the overall design of the monitor itself, especially the edges. That is especially important if you are running a setup with multiple active gaming displays, as is the case for simulation games and racing games.

Depending on how the screens will be positioned in relation to each other, you will want to make sure that the edges do not overlap and get in each other’s way too much.

There are some monitors, at the very top end of the market, that don’t have side edges and are sporting a slightly beveled screen.

Next up on your list is the shape of the screen itself. The choice is between a flat screen and a curved one.

While the curved one is the most advertised and preferred as being “the superior all-around choice,” it is ultimately down to what you will be playing on it and your budget.

Remember that the shape of the screen affects the shape of the picture displayed.

For first-person games, like survival games, shooters, adventure games, and even some simulators, a curved screen is the best choice.

For 2D and 2.5D games, as well as strategy games, text games, arcade games, and anything that is not played in either first or third person mode, a flat screen will generally be better than a curved one.

However, the increased cost and actual benefits may not be worth it.

Mounting is the next thing you will need to think about. Does your monitor need to be mounted on the wall? Or on a stand? Or on a special support? Or maybe you want to integrate it into a specific piece of furniture, or an actual console-desk.

If mounting, you will need to make sure that it has mounting points and even mounting brackets available for it.

G-Sync or FreeSync?

Next on the list is choosing between G-Sync and FreeSync. This can be a bit confusing, but in essence, they are both the same thing, just labeled differently depending on the manufacturer of your graphics card.

In essence, both G-Sync and FreeSync do the very same thing, help synchronize the refresh rate of the monitor and the frame speed of the graphics card to stop image tearing.

The difference is in the type of software that is being used.

G-Sync is proprietary software, owned and developed by Nvidia. Needless to say that, while it does wonders when used with a Nvidia graphics card and a monitor that supports G-Sync natively, it performs rather poorly without either of them.

FreeSync, on the other hand, is an open source alternative to G-Sync, usually used by AMD in their graphics cards, as well as distributed freely online.

The main thing to remember here is that, if you have a Nvidia graphics card, for the best performances, you will want a monitor that supports G-Sync. If you have an AMD graphics card, you will want a monitor which supports FreeSync.

Response Time And Refresh Rate

The next thing on your list of things to look at is the response time and refresh rate of the monitor itself. The two are closely tied together but don’t do the same thing.

The response time is the time it takes for the pixels themselves to change color and adapt to the new one that was requested for the picture.

To determine the speed of the refresh rate, engineers use the GTG test, also known as gray to gray.

This is where they select a pixel and measure the time it takes for it to go from dark gray to white and back to the original dark gray. The resulting value is used to describe the overall response time.

They use dark gray because screens never display true black, but rather a very dark gray. That is why in some rare cases, you will find BTB (black to black) instead of GTG (gray to gray). It is the same thing but interpreted differently.

In terms of response time, you will want very small response times, somewhere in the range of 5 ms and 1ms, with the smaller value being the most desired.

Refresh rate, on the other hand, is the time it takes for the screen to refresh itself.

This process is not perceivable by the naked eye, but video cameras are known to pick it up quite often. This is what you are seeing when you film a monitor and the image flickers in weird patterns.

It’s because the image on a monitor is not truly static, and the monitor itself checks to see if there was a new image sent by the graphics card so that it can display it.

The refresh rate itself is measured in Hertz (Hz) and represents the number of times per second the image is refreshed.

Monitors typically have a 50-60Hz refresh rate, with higher-end models going as far as 70-75Hz, and extremes going to 90Hz and above. This is another area I feel that, once you try a higher rate, you won’t want to go back.

Neither the refresh rate nor the response time of the monitor will have a direct impact on the system resources and performance, so you’re free to go after what you prefer or have the budget for.

As a rule of thumb, you will want a monitor with a minimum 70Hz refresh rate, and anywhere between 1ms and 5ms response time, for a good gaming experience.

TN vs. IPS

Another thing you will need to decide on is whether you want a TN screen or an IPS screen. These are different screen formats, and they all serve special purposes when it comes to how they handle images and angles.

TN (twisted nematic screens) are usually the ones that gamers tend to choose.

This is because, while they restrict the viewing angle to around 30 degrees from the center of the screen, they have the smallest response time out of all the screens.

IPS (in-plane switching) screens are a lot better in office environments because of the very large viewing angles that they provide.

However, because of the slightly larger response time, gamers tend to shy away from them.

No matter which type of panel you choose, I recommend doing a backlight bleed test to check for defects upon purchasing.

System Requirements

Last on your list of things to consider, but by no means least, are the system requirements for 1440p monitors.

This is because, unlike 720 and 1080p monitors, 1440p monitors are very demanding and will tax your system quite hard to function properly.

It’s not that bad though, and the main thing that you will need to pay attention to here is the graphics card.

If you are running an Intel setup with Nvidia Graphics, you will want to have at least a Nvidia GTX 1080 or higher.

If you are running an AMD system with AMD graphics, you will want to have at least an RX580 graphics card or higher.

This is because the graphics card will need a lot of power to generate graphics at a 1440p resolution, and anything below these cards will struggle horribly.

Keep in mind that 1440p resolution technology is leaps and bounds ahead of what GPU manufacturers can offer at the moment, however, in the near future we can expect to have a lot more choice and a lot more flexibility in this regard.

Never, under any circumstances, use an adapter or a converter on your monitor because you will lose a lot of its capabilities. Just use it with its proper native ports.

There are realistically 2 ports that the monitor could use. Either HDMI or DP (Display Port). You will need to make sure that your graphics card has the required port available.

Reviews of Top 1440p Monitors Best 2k Gaming Monitors

Because there are so many different and diverse options to pick from, narrowing down the list can be a bit hectic and time-consuming.

Here are a few of the products that stood out as being the most popular and preferred by gamers, both amateurs, and professionals.

ASUS ROG SWIFT PG278QR

The interesting thing about this monitor is the fact that it is designed specifically for gamers from a design point of view. It clears the minimum performance requirements with ease, and it does deliver what it promises, 1440p resolution, great response time and a very fast refresh rate.

A good thing about this monitor is the fact that the ergonomics are also specifically designed to accommodate the needs of the modern gamer.

It is adjustable over a wide range of angles and directions. This makes it easy to orientate the screen easily and fit it into any gaming setup that you might have.

Another very important thing to note about this monitor is the fact that it was designed with eye care in mind. This means that the light emitted by the screen is a lot more gentle on the eyes.

It is backed by a strong blue light filter, making it a lot lighter on your eyes, and a flicker-free backlight that reduces fatigue and strain.

This makes prolonged gaming sessions, as well as marathons a lot safer and a lot more enjoyable.

On the flip side, however, the monitor has a couple of things that any potential buyer should beware of.

It is not designed to work with FreeSync at all. It has 0 compatibilities with it across the board, and it is not recommended for AMD graphics card users.

Overall, the ASUS ROG SWIFT PG278QR is a pretty solid choice for new gamers, and people that are designing their gaming setup from scratch.

It will not stand out too much, nor will it take the attention away from the rest of the setup, making it a lot easier to plan the aesthetics of the gaming setup, without having to compensate for it.

BenQ GL2706PQ

One of the things that immediately stands out with this monitor is the fact that the colors are vivid and lively.

This is because of the 20M:1 contrast ratio, and the 27” screen that makes it play in the monitor’s favor.

This becomes especially relevant when factoring in the light filtering that it uses, it makes it a lot easier to not notice the alterations in the levels of blue light emitted by the screen.

Another thing worth noting is the fact that it uses a fast flicker adjuster, making it a lot easier to play any game without having to worry about flickering or interference.

Something very important to note about this monitor is the fact that it comes with a multitude of display input options.

This makes it versatile and adaptable, allowing the user not to have to worry about what inputs are on the graphics card.

While the monitor does bring some interesting performances to the table, and is more than capable and suited for gaming, it has one major drawback.

The overall design of the monitor is not exactly made for gaming.

It does not have the radical edges, nor the decorative schemes that one would expect to be on a gaming monitor. If anything, it sports the same design as an office monitor.

Visually it can have a negative impact on a gaming setup if the setup itself was designed to follow certain aesthetic rules or principles.

Another thing that you should think about before buying this monitor is the fact that, besides the overall office look and feel, it also has more or less the same ergonomic levels as an office monitor.

This means that you will not be able to adjust it as much as you would a different monitor, and you would not be able to reach those angles that you might be aiming for.

Other than the aesthetic design and its ergonomic levels, the BenQ GL2706PQ is a fine 1440p monitor for gaming, and it can be a good addition to a more elegant and less gamy-looking gaming setup.

Acer XG270HU omidpx

First and foremost, this monitor comes with AMD FreeSync technology, making it perfect for AMD gaming setups. This can be a good thing, especially if the user understands the basic principles of open source and free open source software.

Another thing that you will notice once you start using it is the fact that the monitor is actively adaptable and dynamic.

Even as you play, you might notice levels shifting ever so slightly. However, it should only enhance your gaming experience.

The next thing you will notice is the fact that the monitor has very thin top and side edges, which means that there is very little screen real estate wasted, leaving a lot more for gaming.

A small mention can be made about the fact that the monitor is sporting a DVI signal input, alongside HDMI and DP inputs.

This gives it that bit of backward compatibility with slightly older graphics cards or machines that only have DVI inputs to work with.

There are a couple of things to watch out for though, mainly with the design of the monitor.

While the top and side edges are nice and thing, the bottom one is rather thick and noticeable. In fact, it might interfere with some attention-sensitive games.

Another thing to keep in mind is the fact that the monitor sports a very reddish color scheme, especially on the bottom side and the stands.

This will limit the setup choices quite significantly, more or less pigeonholing the buyer into a black/red or gray/red setup color scheme.

One last thing to remember before purchasing this product is the fact that all the inputs are located directly on the back of the monitor.

Not on the side, not on the bottom, but on the back of the monitor, causing cables to stick directly out of it. This can cause problems when trying to put the monitor as far back as possible, and it can also cause the plugs and wires to become damaged over time.

All in all, if the aesthetics of the Acer XG270HU are not an issue, and you don’t mind the cables sticking out of its back, then this monitor would work out well for you.

AOC AGON AG352UCG

This is one of the more serious heavy duty gaming monitors that you can opt for, but it does not come lightly.

First and foremost, this monitor has a very large screen size, sporting an impressive 35 inches from corner to corner. To make matters better, it is also a curved screen, which is perfect for a lot of gaming setups.

A small detail that might come as a bit of a surprise is the addition of 2 USB 3.0 ports, one of them being a fast charging port, allowing you to charge your mobile devices by plugging them right into the monitor.

Another interesting thing you will notice is the fact that, although the monitor is curved and large, it is still easily adjustable on all axis, allowing the user to adjust it as he or she might see fit.

There are a few things that you might want to be careful of, though. First off, the monitor might seem a bit too large at times, especially for some games.

The screen is curved, which makes things more manageable and your gaming experience more pleasant, but it may be a bit excessive at times.

It has a response time of 4ms GTG.

While it is not a real problem, nor is it something that the average human eye can even register, there might be a couple of points, especially in highly tense situations, where you might notice it for a split second.

All in all, the AOC AGON AG352UCG may be a great addition to any gaming setup, as long as you have the space for it and the patience to set it up.

BenQ ZOWIE

First off, from the moment you turn it on and start playing games, you will see something a bit odd, the blacks are a bit different.

This is because the monitor has a built-in black equalizer, which will help balance the black levels and allow you to see all the black object details properly. Not to mention the fact that it makes shadows, debris and burns marks look a lot more real.

Another thing worth noting is the fact that this monitor was designed and built for e-sports competitions. It has also been used in different Starcraft and League of Legends tournaments in the past.

This is because it is not only a high powered and finely tuned monitor, but it also allows the user to fine tune it as well, and even save specific presets.

That brings us to the next point that the S-switch is located on the stand of the monitor.

It is, essentially, a dial with customizable and programmable preset buttons which can be bound to different settings and profiles, making it a lot easier for the user to switch to them, without having to fiddle with menus all the time.

There is one thing, however, that hinders this monitor, and that is the swivel and adjustment controls. This is because of 2 major reasons.

They are rather small and a bit difficult to grip

They are located in rather uncomfortable, unintuitive and difficult to reach places

Overall it is not a major gripe, nor is it an actual deal breaker. It is something that the end user will need time and practice to adjust to.

All in all, the BenQ ZOWIE is a good high-performance monitor that may help you improve your gameplay, as well as help you experience your games in a better manner.

VIOTEK GN27D

First and foremost, this monitor offers a bit more customization choices for the user from the very beginning, because it can be purchased in a variety of sizes, from 24” to 34”.

That makes it a lot easier for the user to find the right screen size for the gaming setup in question.

All variants come with their own stands and ergonomic options to help fine-tune the positioning and orientation of it to meet the specifications of the user.

Unlike other curved 1440p monitors, this one is designed specifically for custom rigs.

This is because it comes with a Display Port input method as well as 2 HDMI input ports, making it a lot easier to connect and integrate into a gaming rig, without forcing you to shuffle things around.

Something else to bear in mind is the fact that this monitor sports a curve that is a lot more gentle than other curved monitors.

It sports a 178-degree focal curve angle, and while it is a lot more of a gentle curve, it still manages to provide the user with the depth and focal field necessary for the ultimate FPS and even RTS experiences.

Another very important thing that should be mentioned about this monitor is the fact that the stand that it comes with varies from size to size.

This can be a bit of a problem when having to integrate it into a preexisting setup, which generally will not allow for much wiggle room, to begin with.

The thing that redeems it is the fact that, every different stand is designed to offer as many ergonomic features as possible.

While it might be a bit problematic to fit and integrate into a preexisting setup properly, it is very easy to adjust and tailor to one’s needs.

Overall, the VIOTEK GN27D is a convenient and comfortable curved monitor, that should give you years of great gaming experiences.

LG 34UC98-W

Right from the very beginning, you should be well aware of the fact that this monitor sports an IPS screen, meaning that it is not exactly designed for hardcore performance gaming, but rather for editing and content creation.

This model, in particular, is among the best 1440p monitors that you could opt for if you were to produce and publish gaming content.

The reason behind this is the color interpretation that the IPS screens provide, making it a lot easier for the content creator to do his or her job, and provide the highest content quality, with the best color performance.

Another odd thing about this monitor that plays in the user’s favor is the fact that it has all its inputs directly on the back of the unit, but in a central position.

This makes it easier for both interconnectivity which allows a user to integrate one or more of these monitors into an advanced setup, and overall cable management, meaning that the mess of cables would be at a constant minimum.

The only real downside that this monitor has is the fact that it is an IPS screen, which does not make it the bet particular choice for gaming in general.

It is true that it will not hinder the user that much, and it will still be able to provide at least a decent gaming experience, but it pales in comparison to monitors that are designed for gaming.

Acer Predator 34″ (3440 x 1440)

Acer is a name that has more than made its mark on the gaming scene, and one of the more recognizable lines that it offers it the Predator lines.

What makes these monitors so special, is the fact that its pixels are not perfectly straight, but rather very slightly pitched. That allows for better color contrast and far superior viewing experience.

It must be noted that the response time, while not as impressive as on other monitors, is because it is an IPS screen.

While it is not the best choice for high-performance gaming, the way in which it is configured and calibrated, along with the fact that the pixels are pitched, makes it a more than worthy selection.

Another thing worth knowing about this monitor is the fact that it was designed with user interaction in mind, which puts a lot of control into the user’s hands. Among the list of adjustments that the user can make, the most important one is the 6-axis color adjustment.

That combined with the fact that it is a curved screen, will give the user that extra bit of an edge when it comes to controlling the overall experience.

The only real downside that the user would have to deal with when using this monitor is the fact that the blue light filtering is not adjustable. There is no real way to adapt the amount of blue light that the eye will perceive other than through presets.

With all that in mind, this Acer Predator is a great gaming monitor, especially if you are angling for both performance and immersion in one single package.

Dell Gaming S2716DGR

This is a rather strange addition, especially for the gaming market, because it does not look out of the ordinary, or as one would expect a gaming monitor to look.

It inherits the Dell design philosophy, with simple aesthetics, simple elements and a very thin and noninvasive frame.

Make no mistake about it, it looks like any ordinary monitor, and it does not give away the fact that it is a 1440p gaming monitor.

If you look at the system specs and its performances, the situation rapidly changes.

It is perfectly capable of delivering a stable and reliable 1440p resolution, with a 144Hz refresh rate. It does so with a 16:9 aspect ratio, and via Nvidia G-Sync technology, yet still maintains the look and feel of a regular domestic monitor.

The best thing about this monitor is the design simplicity itself. With very thin edges and a sleek modern look, it can be easily integrated into any gaming setup. Not only that, but the user’s vision isn’t drawn away from the picture itself.

Another neat little thing that can be said about this monitor is the fact that it also helps a bit when it comes to cable management simply because of the hole in its main pillar and the way in which the inputs are installed in it.

The only negative thing that can be said about this monitor is the fact that it does not look like a gaming monitor. However, the performances that it is capable of simply makes this a non-issue.

Overall, the Dell S2716DGR gaming monitor is great for a more elegant setup, something that can easily fit in a more modern setting, without giving away that it is made to play video games.

Pixio PX347c Prime

The Pixio Prime is a more interesting addition to the gaming market, simply because, as a gaming monitor, the overall focus is on adaptability and creating the right environment to play games on, rather than squeezing out the maximum available performance.

Everything from the refresh rate, which can adapt to anything between 80Hz and 100Hz, to the various visual presets that come preprogrammed into the actual monitor settings.

Granted, it is not the easiest way to access them, and there are certainly more comfortable ways to switch between presets.

However, the presets themselves are still alterable by the user, making it possible to fine-tune and reach the levels that the user is comfortable with, right within the preset itself.

Even when it comes to changing the position of the screen, the tilt, angle or height, the monitor itself is highly adjustable and can easily reach the level that the user is most comfortable with.

Final Thoughts

We have a lot of choices when it comes to 1440p monitors, and different monitors are geared towards different things, covering different aspects and different needs.

It is our duty, as gamers, to identify the needs that we have to ensure an enjoyable and long lasting gaming experience, immersed into the worlds that are presented to us, drinking in every detail that we see and every action that we make.

By far, the best advice that any gamer should heed before building a gaming rig and deciding on the various components that he or she needs to buy is to first thing long and hard what the desired result is, and slowly gear the choices towards it.

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